UC labor union significant for postdoctoral research

“There's a lot on the table,” Saxton said. “This is a first-time contract, so all of the issues have to be addressed.”

Saxton called the negotiations amicable and professional, but O'Connor suggested the system has failed to address the most important issues, making it more difficult to come to an agreement.

The United Auto Workers, the union's affiliate, claims representation of more than 11,000 teaching assistants, readers and tutors on UC campuses, as well as more than 6,000 teaching associates, graduate assistants, tutors and graders on California State University campuses.

In the mid-1990s, union recognition for those groups became a touchy matter. UC and CSU officials contended that the groups were not employees but students, and therefore not eligible for representation. In some cases the standoff led to walkouts, canceled classes and picketing.

Cathee Johnson Phillips, executive director of the National Postdoctoral Association, said universities and tens of thousands of postdocs across the country are waiting for final provisions of the UC contract to be worked out. The results could mark a lasting shift in the relationship between universities and postdoc researchers.

“It remains to be seen whether unionizing will have a positive, negative or no effect at all on the postdoctoral experience,” Phillips said.

Saxton and O'Connor said they couldn't go into detail about the negotiations, but updates posted on the union's Web site suggest the mood is less than encouraging.

“The main obstacle to reaching agreement in a timely manner continues to be their unlawful stalling and delaying,” a June 12 update stated.

“Postdocs must remain prepared to stand together and take action in case the university refuses to stop its unproductive and unlawful practices.”